5G Release 17: Network Architecture

NWDAF, Broadcast/Multicast, and Proximity Service

5GC Reference Points 5G Service-based Architecture (SBA) Architectures and Interworking between 4G and 5G
* a Service-based Interface
Reference Point Between Between 3GPP Spec Protocol Stack

N1 UE AMF TS 23.501 IP | SCTP | NG-AP | NAS Control Plane Functions

N2 (R)AN AMF TS 23.501 IP | SCTP | NG-AP
Non-roaming architecture for interworking
N3 (R)AN UPF TS 23.501 IP | UDP | GTP-U
between 4G EPC and 5G core
N4 UPF SMF TS 23.501 N4-C: IP | UDP | PFCP
N4-U: IP | UDP | GTP-U N82
NSSAAF NSACF N80 EASDF
N5 * PCF AF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON
N83
N6 UPF DN TS 23.501 IP | UDP | GTP-U | Application S6a HSS+
N8
N7 * SMF PCF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON
NSWOF N60
UDM
N8 * AMF UDM TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON
N9 UPF UPF TS 23.501 IP | UDP | GTP-U PCF+
N15
N10 * SMF UDM TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON N21 N18 PCRF
N27 N10

N11 * AMF SMF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON AAnF N61 N58 TSCTSF TSN AF
N59 N7
N12 * AMF AUSF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON
N13 * AUSF UDM TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON AUSF SMSF NF UDR UDSF N57
SMF+ N11
N14 * AMF AMF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON
UCMF N 37 S5-C PGW-C
N15 * AMF PCF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON N13 N87
N35 N86 N5
N16 * SMF SMF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON N63 N25 N81 N4

N17 * AMF 5G-EIR TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON N 34 N20 N84

N 33
N18 * N24 UPF+
NF UDSF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON N55 N30 N36 N3
N31 PGW-U
N19 PSA PSA TS 23.501 IP | UDP | GTP-U
N33
N20 * AMF SMSF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON NRF S11 SGW S5-U
UDM PCF NWDAF AF
N21 * SMSF UDM TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON N23
N27
N22 * AMF NSSF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON N62 5G-EIR NSSF NEF
MME N26 AMF
N23 * PCF NWDAF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON
N85 N5
N7
N24 * PCF PCF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON
S1-MME
N56 LMF N10 N15 vSEPP N32 hSEPP
N25 * UDR PCF TS 29.513 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON N8 N1

N26 AMF MME TS 23.502 IP | UDP | GTP-C

N28 eNB S1-U gNB N2
N29
N27 * NRF NRF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON N17 N22 N12
N16
N28 * PCF CHF TS 32.240 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON NLs NLh
N29 * UE UE
NEF SMF Depreciated IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON SMF N40 CHF
N30 * NEF PCF TS 29.554 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON
N11

N31 * NSSF NSSF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON AMF Le

NLg
N32 * SEPP SEPP TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON
GMLC N4 N88
N14
N33 * NEF AF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON
N1
N34 * NSSF NWDAF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON
N35 * UDM UDR TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON
N2
N36 * PCF UDR TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON
N4
N37 * NEF UDR TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON vPLMN hPLMN NWDAF analytics architecture
N40 * SMF CHF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON
N50 * AMF CBCF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON
User Plane Functions
N51 * AMF NEF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON UE gNB N3 I-UPF N9 UPF N6 Data UDM NWDAF Functions
N51i * AMF I-NEF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON Network
AnLF MTLF
N52 * NEF UDM TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON
N53 * I-NEF NEF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON NRF
N55 * AMF UCMF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON
Access Edge Core
N56 * NEF UCMF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON Config DB

N57 * AF UCMF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON Legend DataData

Source
AF/NF/NEF
Producer
DCCF
N58 * AMF NSSAAF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON N3 N3 N3 N3
N59 * UDM NSSAAF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON Application Function Non-3GPP Access Consumer
Data ADRF
N60 * AUSF NSWOF TS 23 501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON NF/NEF/OAM
Consumer

N61 * AAnF AUSF TS 33.535 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON

N2 N3IWF TNGF W-AGT TWIF MFAF
Historical Online Data
N62 * AAnF AF (internal) TS 33.535 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON
Control Plane Radio Access Network Data DB DB
N63
* AAnF NEF TS 33.535 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON
Message
N65 * BSF HSS TS 33.220 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON Bus
Untrusted Trusted
N66 * BSF NAF TS 33.220 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON Location Services Subscriber Data Storage Wireline Wireline
Non-3GPP Non-3GPP
N67 * Push-NAF GBA BSF TS 29.309 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON Network Network
Network Network
N68 * BSF UDM TS 33.220 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON
N70 * I/S-CSCF HSS TS 23.228 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON Network Repository Function User Data and Packet Gateway
N71 * AS (IMS) HSS TS 23.228 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON Non-3GPP Access
N80 * AMF NSACF TS 23 501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON
N81 * SMF NSACF TS 23 501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON Broadcast and multicast
N82 *
N83 *
NSACF
AUSF
NEF
NSSAAF
TS 23 501
TS 23 501
IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON
IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON
5GC Network Entities services architecture NEF N33

N84 * TSCTSF PCF TS 23 501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON N30

Abbreviation Network Function Role Abbreviation Network Function Role
N85 * TSCTSF NEF TS 23 501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON
N29mb Nmb5
N86 * TSCTSF AF TS 23 501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON 5G DDNMF Direct Discovery Name Management Function The logical function handling network related actions required for dynamic 5G ProSe Direct Discovery. NEF Network Exposure Function Network Slice-Specific Authentication and
Authorization Function UDM PCF
N87 * TSCTSF UDR TS 23 501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON 5G-EIR 5G-Equipment Identity Register Enables authentication of devices in the network. Protects networks and revenues against the use of stolen and
unauthorized devices. NF Network Function a logical node within the network that has well-defined external interfaces and well-defined functional behavior
N88 * SMF EASDF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON N10 N7mb Nmb12
AAnF AKMA Anchor Function The anchor function in the HPLMN that generates the key material to be used between the UE and the AF and maintains Non-3GPP Networks not defined by 3GPP Examples of these are a Wi-Fi, and DSL network. AF
NLg * GMLC AMF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON UE AKMA contexts. Network
NLh * GMLC UDM TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON ADRF Analytical Data Repository Function Stores and retrieves analytics generated by NWDAFs and other collected data. NRF Network Repository Function Allows every network function to discover the services offered by other network functions. N1 AMF N11 SMF N16mb MB-SMF Nmb1 MBSF Nmb10

NLs * AMF LMF TS 23.501 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON AF Application Function Performs the same function as the EPC AF. Network Slice Access Control Function Monitors and controls the number of registered UEs per network slice and/or the number of PDU Sessions per network slice
NSACF
MWu UE N3IWF TS 23.501 CP IP | IPsec | Inner IP | GRE for the network slices that are subject to Network Slice Admission Control (NSAC). N11mb
AnLF Analytical Logical Function Responsible for collecting the analytical request and sending the response to the consumer. AnLF requires the model
Nmb13
UP IP | IKEv2 endpoints, which is provided by the MTLF (Model Training Logical Function). NSSAAF Network Slice-Specific Authentication and Provides slice-specific authentication and authorization for a given UE. The NSSAAF acts as a NF Service Producer,
N2 N4 N4mb Nmb2
Authorization Function while the AMF is the NF Service Consumer.
PC1 ProSe application in the UE ProSe Application Server TS 29 555 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON AKMA Authentication and Key Management for Applications Similar to the Generic Bootstrapping Architecture (GBA) in earlier generations, this function leverages an operator
authentication infrastructure in order to secure the communication between the UE and an Application Function (AF). NSSF Network Slice Selection Function Redirects traffic to a network slice.
PC3a UE 5G DDNMF TS 24.334 IP | TCP | HTTP
AMF Access and Mobility Management Function Performs most of the functions that the MME performs in a 4G network. NSWOF Non-Seamless WLAN Offload Function Interfaces to the WLAN access network using the SWa interface and interfaces to the AUSF using the Nausf Service Uu N3 N19mb Nmb9 Nmb8
PC5 ProSe-enabled UE ProSe-enabled UE TS 24.587 PHY | MAC | RLC | PDCP | PC5 UE gNB UPF MB-UPF MBSTF
Based Interface (SBI) to support WLAN connection using 5G credentials without 5GS registration.
AUSF Authentication Server Function Performs the authentication function of 4G HSS.
PC8* UE 5G PKMF TS 29.559 Over IP
CBCF Cell Broadcast Center Function Supports public warning system functionality.
NWDAF Network Data Analytics Function Responsible for providing network analysis information upon request from network functions. N3mb N6mb
Npc2 * ProSe Application Server 5G DDNMF TS 29.555 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON Governs the network behavior by supporting a unified policy framework. Also, provides policy rules to Control
PCF Policy Control Function
Npc4* UDM 5G DDNMF TS 23.304 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON CCS Convergent Charging System Function Provides account management, rating and charging functions. Plane functions.

Npc6 * 5G DDNMF (in the HPLMN) 5G DDNMF (in a Local PLMN) TS 23.304 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON CHF Charging Function Allows charging services to be offered to aythorized network functions PSA PDU Session Anchor The user plane function that terminates the N6 interface of a PDU session within a 5G core network.

Npc7 * 5G DDNMF (in the HPLMN) 5G DDNMF (in the VPLMN) TS 23.304 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON DCCF Data Collection Coordination Function Multiple NWDAFs may need the same raw data (the input to the NWDAF) and multiple network functions RAN Radio Access Network Using radio technology provides access to the core network.
may need the same analytics data (the output of the NWDAF). To avoid duplicate requests for the same
Npc8 * PCF 5G DDNMF TS 23.304 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON data the DCCF function coordinates these interactions. SCP Service Communication Proxy A new network function enabling dynamic scaling and management of communication and services in the 5G network. The SCP
DN Data Network e.g. Internet access or 3rd party services. has a role similar to the Diameter Signaling Controller (DSC) in 4G.
Npc9 * 5G PKMF 5G PKMF TS 33.503 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON
Npc10* 5G PKMF UDM TS 33.503 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON
EASDF Edge Application Server Discovery Function Registers to the NRF for EASDF discovery and selection. Handles the DNS messages according to the instructions from SEPP Security Edge Protection Proxy Protects control plane traffic that is exchanged between different 5G operator networks. Proximity-based services
the SMF, exchanges DNS messages from the UE. Forwards DNS messages to C-DNS or L-DNS for DNS Queries.
SMF Session Management Function Handles management of UE sessions.
Y1 UE Non-3GPP Network N/A Not specified by 3GPP
GMLC Gateway Mobile Location Centre The Gateway Mobile Location Centre (GMLC) also provides functionality required to support location-based services PC1
Y2 Non-3GPP Network N3IWF N/A Not specified by 3GPP (LBS). The GMLC is the first node an external LBS client accesses in a PLMN. AFs and NFs may access GMLC directly SMSF Short Message Service Function Supports the transfer of SMS over NAS.
or via the NEF. N4
Uu UE (R)AN TS 38 305 PHY | MAC | RLC | PDCP | RRC TNGF Trusted Non-3GPP Gateway Function Enables the UE to connect to the 5G Core over WLAN access technology.
I-NEF Intermediate Network Exposure Function Provides a mechanism for securely exposing services and features of the 5G core.
Nmb1 * MB-SMF MBSF TS 26.502 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON
I-UPF Network not defined by 3GPP Examples of these are a Wi-Fi, and DSL network. TSCTSF Time Sensitive Communication Time TSCTSF controls the DS-TT(s) and NW-TT for the (g)PTP based time synchronization service. In addition, SMF N7 PCF N3
Nmb2 * MB-SMF AF/AS TS 26.502 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON Synchronization Function TSCTSF supports TSC assistance container related functionalities.
LMF Location Management Function The Location Management Function (LMF) supports location-based services (LBS) for a UE. ProSe
Nmb5 * MBSF NEF TS 26.502 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON TSN AF Time-Sensitive Networking Application Function Stores the binding relationship between a port on UE/DS-TT side and a PDU Session during reporting of 5GS TSN bridge Application N11 N15
MBSF Multicast/Broadcast Service Function Performs service level functionality and interworking with MBMS. Interacting with AF and MB-SMF for MBS information. The TSN AF also stores the information about ports on the UPF/NW-TT side.
Nmb8 * MBSTF AF/AS TS 26.502 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON
session operations, determination of transport parameters, and session transport. UE A Uu gNB N2 AMF N8 UDM UPF

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Nmb9 MB-UPF MBSTF TS 26.502 IP | UDP | GTP-U MB-SMF Multicast Broadcast Session Management Function Handles MBS session management (including QoS control), configures the MB-UPF for multicast and broadcast data TWIF Trusted WLAN Interworking Function A new 5G function for interoperability with legacy devices. Some devices may support 5G SIM authentication but
transport and allocates/de-allocates TMGIs. do not support 5G NAS signaling over trusted Wi-Fi access. TWIF contains the NAS protocol stack and exchanges Npc8
Nmb10 * MBSF AF/AS TS 26.502 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON NAS messages with the AMF on behalf of these types of devices. Npc4
MBSTF Multicast/Broadcast Service Transport Function Functions as a media anchor for MBS data traffic. Sources IP Multicast and generic packet transport functionalities
Nmb12 * MBSF PCF TS 26.502 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON UCMF UE radio Capability Management Function Allows NF service consumers to create, update and delete UCMF dictionary entries for Manufacturer-assigned UE PC5 PC3a 5G
available to any IP multicast enabled application. Radio Capability IDs. NEF
Nmb13 * MB-SMF AF/AS TS 26.502 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON Uu
DDNMF
MB-UPF Multicast–Broadcast User Plane Function Handles packet filtering of incoming downlink packets for multicast and broadcast flows. QoS enforcement (MFBR) UDM Unified Data Management Performs parts of the 4G HSS function. ProSe
N3mb (R)AN MB-UPF TS 26.502 IP | UDP | GTP-U and interactions with MB-SMF for receiving multicast and broadcast data. Application Npc6 N33

UDR Unified Data Repository A converged repository of subscriber information that can be used to service a number of network functions.
N4mb MB-SMF MB-UPF TS 26.502 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON MFAF Messaging Framework Adaptor Function The messaging framework in which the analytics or event notifications (carrying raw data for the NWDAF to process) can UE B PC3a ProSe
be distributed around the network. Its operation is not standardized by the 3GPP. UDSF Unstructured Data Storage Function Part of the UDM entity. Network Functions (NFs) can store/retrieve “unstructured” data from an Unstructured Data Npc2 Application N6
N6mb MB-UPF AF/AS TS 26.502 IP | UDP | GTP-U
Storage Function (UDSF). Server
MTLF Model Training Logical Function AnLF requires the model endpoints, which is provided by the MTLF. The MTLF trains and deploys the model inference
N7mb* MB-SMF PCF TS 26.502 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON
microservice. UE User Equipment Any device used directly by an end-user to communicate (a handheld phone, laptop etc.). PC1

N11mb * AMF MB-SMF TS 26.502 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON

N3IWF Non-3GPP Interworking Function Responsible for interworking between untrusted non-3GPP networks and the 5G Core. User Plane Function A combination of the data plane parts of the SGW and PGW in 4G.
N16mb * SMF MB-SMF TS 26.502 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON UPF
NAF Network Application Function Identifies a Service-based Interface for the Application Function. W-AGT Wireline Access Gateway Function Enables wireline access to the 5G Core.
N19mb UPF MB-UPF TS 26.502 IP | UDP | GTP-U
N29mb * MB-SMF NEF TS 26.502 IP | TCP | HTTP2 | JSON
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